How solid-state light engines can meet the exact needs of many biotech and industrial applications
Preliminary testing of the quantum gravity gradiometer designed by Michael Holynski and colleagues at the University of Birmingham, which has now been shown to locate an underground tunnel with a positional accuracy of 20cm. Credit: Crown Copyright
Susan Curtis explores the new breed of quantum gravimeters finding their way onto the slopes of Mount Etna and into tunnels deep under Birmingham
The science of measuring the amount, spectral and spatial distribution of light emitted by a source is generally poorly understood. Few university-level physics or engineering syllabuses review the principles of optical radiation measurement, let alone the practicalities. This is despite our interacting with light almost constantly, both in nature and in our work and leisure activities. This white paper reviews the fundamental principles of light metrology.
Specifications for illumination systems for biomedical imaging and industrial metrology generally converge on spectral, spatial and temporal light output characteristics. This article describes some of the ways in which solid-state light engines consisting of arrays of solid-state light sources, a mix of LEDs, light pipes and lasers, allow for the customisation of specifications to meet application-specific lighting requirements.
Manx Precision Optics’ polishing lap. Credit: Manx Precision Optics
Benjamin Skuse asks why, after 400 years of polishing optics, the process hasn’t been automated
Zygo a developer of precision metrology instruments and optics, has announced the release of version 9.0 of its Mx software platform for complete instrument control and data analysis
This white paper will explain how the optical performance of displays is quantified, and the instruments commonly used in display photometry and colorimetry will be presented.
L to R: Marc Canales, Roger Artigas, EPIC’s Ana González & Carlos Lee
Jose Pozo, CTO at EPIC, talks with Roger Artigas, co-founder, president and CTO of Sensofar Metrology – a designer and manufacturer of 3D surface metrology instruments
Keely Portway looks at some of the latest advances in light-based test and measurement techniques
Professor Paul Shore led the team that micromachined the complex mirrors within James Webb’s mid-infrared instrument. He chats about the technical lessons learnt
EMF invested a great deal of time and effort in developing a coating system for producing long-lasting diamond like carbon (DLC) coatings on chalcogenides at scale
The properties of chalcogenide glass optics have opened up a number of use cases in infrared optics applications and beyond. This article assesses how some of the associated manufacturing and handling challenges of this material can be overcome
Image credit: Yury Zap/Shutterstock.com
We detail the commercial offerings from some of the main players in optical mirrors
Image credit: Mia Stendal/Shutterstock.com
Shining a light on the latest products and solutions in the diode laser space
Optical technologies offer researchers a powerful new toolkit to explore the structure and function of the brain. (Image: Sergey Nivens/Shutterstock.com)
Advances in optical fibres and microscale LEDs are furthering neuroscientists’ understanding of the brain
The nulling interferometry devices under development at Caltech’s Exoplanet Technology Laboratory cancel out starlight to help detect and identify foreign worlds. (Credit: Shutterstock/Dotted Yeti)
Nemanja Jovanovic, lead instrument scientist at Caltech’s Optical Observatory and Exoplanet Technology Laboratory, on emerging astrophotonic technologies on his radar
Robert Smith is a professor at the University of Alberta and historian to JWST since 2002
As James Webb Space Telescope beams back images from the edge of space and time, space historian Robert Smith recalls some of the decisions made to bring the $10bn NASA project to fruition. David Stuart reports
